On Eagle's Wings

On Eagle's Wings
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

Followers

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

A Grace Filled Hodgepodge

1. How will you celebrate Easter this year?

I will be attending my life group on Zoom, and our church is holding drive in services in the parking lot. They will give us a packet of information as we arrive telling what radio station to tune to and there will be a stage in the parking lot set up for the praise and worship team and the pastor. Our church is doing everything possible each week to stay connected with members and I so appreciate it. Each week we have drive through prayer and everyone brings some items of food for the food pantry.

2. Is it easier for you to receive grace offered or extend grace to another? 


I’m not sure. I do believe I extend grace, but maybe not all the time. It probably depends on the situation. 
Explain. An example from yesterday speaks poorly of me maybe. I had a pick-up order at the grocery store which was delayed by two hours and that was fine with me. Two hours later, they told me my order was ready. I arrived at the store at the time requested. The parking lot was full of people waiting, so I waited my turn and as we moved up in the line no one ever came out to me. I called the number twice and trying to keep this brief, after over an hour waiting, I signaled someone over and I fear I was a little bit grumpy. They said my order was in the process of being filled. I don’t like to complain, I really don’t, but I did, and upon learning a few other things and watching these people work so hard trying to satisfy all the customers, I had to extend grace and tell them how sorry I was and that I appreciated them and give a nice tip for the person who loaded my car.

3. Do you say grace before meals? 

Always, even now, especially as I sit alone at the dinner table. 
If so do you have a standard dinnertime grace or is it more 'off the cuff'? I just pray and thank God for His goodness, continued provision and love for me. 
Do you say grace when dining out? Yes, and when we would travel and be seated with strangers, we did and people most always expressed their gratitude.  Only one experience on a trip did we meet with resistance, but it did give us a chance to witness. 

Do you have a favorite grace? 


Any special memory associated with 'saying grace'? As children, we took turns saying grace:



A funny memory with these are that usually my sister and I were just keeping a sneaky eye on each other waiting to grab the best piece of meat off the platter. My little brother would say, “pray, pray, pray.” And also, I remember when little Jack would scrunch up his face as he looked up to Heaven and just say “Jesus”! It was the sweetest. 

4. What are some challenges you think the next generation will face? (Generation Alpha-born between 2011 and 2025) 

They may be challenged with the loss of things our generation has taken for granted. Things they’ve seen their parents have may not be there for them. I look forward to seeing other answers.  

5. Share a favorite quote or lyric featuring the word faith.


"My faith has found a resting place, Not in device nor creed; 
I trust the Ever-living One, His wounds for me shall plead."


Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. 
Hebrews 11:1, 6 (NLT)

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Joining my neighbors for a social visit and keeping our proper distance! What a nice evening for being outdoors to visit--with real people--in person!



My favorite show is Call the Midwife. Each episode always ends with a bit of wisdom and I love this from last Sunday. 

"Not all of us will choose what we give up. The things we love are taken or are never ours at all. Life is defined not by what we let go, but what we let in. Friendship and kind words, frailty and hope. To be human is to be imperfect, and to accept that is to thrive. No path is always strewn with flowers, but therein lies the power of each fragile, tender bloom." ~Call the Midwife 


12 comments:

Stacy said...

I am impressed that you were able to get a pick-up time for groceries at all. I have been trying for a week and can't get a pick-up or delivery time for either Walmart or our local grocery. I guess I'm going to have to mask and glove up and go shopping for myself.

I'm glad you are finding ways to do church and stay connected. I know this Easter has to be difficult for you under normal circumstances, let alone what we are experiencing now. Praying you have a blessed and happy day!

Linda M. Conley said...

Oh I am impressed you can pick up groceries...I went to order (yet again, sigh) and was told NO PICK UP OR DELIVERY DUE TO OVERWHELMING ORDERS. So, back to old fashion.

I agree with Stacy, I know this Easter has to be difficult...and for that, I am keeping in prayer.

Carla from The River said...

I like what your neighborhood did.
Your church sounds like a very special place indeed.
Happy Easter,
Carla

Elizabeth "Libby" Day said...

Your sweet spirit no doubt touched that delivery person because they saw understanding and appreciation while doing a pretty much thankless job. Dick had a similar experience yesterday, except it wasn't a pick-up. He had to actually go inside to shop for his own online order items. That was frustrating but he didn't seem to mind the hour long wait. Yes, we so often think alike, don't we. I do hope you have a very blessed Easter Sunday. He is Risen!

Joyce said...

We don't have any order pick up options here so I suppose I will 'suit up' and go to the store tomorrow. I haven't been in 2 weeks. Stay safe and well! Happy Easter to you!

Barbara said...

Your quotes for the word "Faith" are excellent. We all need to hold onto our reliance on God during this unique experience.

Blessed Easter to you!

Cathy said...

What a fun way to socialize! Hope you have a wonderful Easter.

Terri D said...

Those little prayers you posted are exactly what we said at dinner when I was growing up! Our homes are close enough here that we can each sit on the porch or in the carport and carry on a conversation, even from across the street. We call it a porch party! LOL We love Call The Midwife and have watched it from the first episode. Always good!! Have a blessed Easter!! Hug!

Cranberry Morning said...

I really enjoyed reading your Hodgepodge answers today. I love seeing the words of faith in so many responses by the Hodgepodge bloggers. And about Call the Midwife, I might have to give it another try. I think that Call the Midwife and Lark Rise to Candleford are the only British shows I've really not liked. Maybe I got a bad episode of Midwife.

I love that you could say you were sorry to the people who work at the store. That says a lot about you, namely, that the Spirit of God works in you to bring about repentance and reconciliation. Isn't that just the way it is with God! I hope I have that same sensitivity to the Spirit. God bless you.

ellen b. said...

Now I'm singing the rest of that hymn. Thanks for that prompt. It was good to read your answers today.

Debby Ray said...

Loved all of your answers, Connie. We did our first online grocery order and pick-up yesterday at Walmart....kinda scary was my thought. We were very pleasantly surprised and will do it as long as we need to...a tip was offered but they are not allowed to accept tips. It's easy to be human isn't it? May you have a most blessed drive-in Easter!

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Wonderful answers. My heart goes out to you during this time of enforced isolation. I can only imagine how difficult that must be for you. So glad you can see your neighbors "from a distance", and know that they are there for you if you need them. Of course we know that God is always there for us, but sometimes He puts on "skin" to meet our needs. Showing grace during this time is getting difficult for many of us. I was frustrated at the prices of food going higher and higher...eggs...ham. I told the cashier at our store that I thought they would have ham on sale for Easter and I was very disappointed it was too expensive to buy. She said they don't have any control over what comes in on the trucks and they can't run any sales right now. I know it isn't her fault, and I should have been more gracious. I will just have to come up with a plan B. We said the same graces growing up as you did. But when I met my husband he taught me how to pray for our food from the heart, and not just a simple grace. That is very special to me now. Have a blessed Easter. May the Lord be with you and comfort you, and give you peace. Amen.